OTC treatment for back acne that works
Benzoyl peroxide (emollient foam wash): This helps to kill the bacteria that cause acne. Used daily, it can help control back acne and reduce flares.
Benzoyl peroxide works as an antiseptic to reduce the number of bacteria on the surface of the skin. It also helps to reduce the number of whiteheads and blackheads, and has an anti-inflammatory effect.
Type of lesion: Bacterial acne is more likely to present as inflamed pimples, pustules, and cysts that are frequently red and tender to the touch, whereas hormonal acne is more likely to manifest as deep, painful cysts.
Antibiotics: Antibiotics treat acne caused by bacteria. Common antibiotics for acne include tetracycline, minocycline and doxycycline.
How acne develops. Acne develops when sebum — an oily substance that lubricates your hair and skin — and dead skin cells plug hair follicles. Bacteria can trigger inflammation and infection resulting in more severe acne.
Increased water intake often leads to improved skin clarity and reduced acne severity. Many people report fewer breakouts and a more even skin tone after consistently increasing their water consumption. Hydrated skin may appear plumper and healthier, making existing acne less noticeable.
Back acne can also result from dirty sheets, towels or clothing. Skin care products: Certain lotions and creams can clog pores and lead to acne. Stress and anxiety: When you have a lot of anxiety or stress, your body makes more of the hormone cortisol. As cortisol levels rise, your body produces more sebum.
Symptoms and Appearance. Bacterial acne presents with various lesions, including whiteheads, blackheads, pus-filled pimples, and deeper cystic lesions. If not treated properly, these can be painful and may leave scars. Bacterial acne is often accompanied by inflammation and redness around the affected areas.
acnes. Using sebum as an energy source, the bacteria produces lipase that converts triglycerides into glycerol and fatty acids, causing inflammation and irritation. The inflammation then triggers the innate immune response and white blood cells are activated.
Acne is a common issue for many people, especially for teenagers and young adults in their 20s. Some have mild symptoms, while others can have very severe issues. Acne effects around 90% of adolescents with the prime age across all genders being the teenage years of 14-19 years old.
It's tempting, but popping or squeezing a pimple won't necessarily get rid of the problem. Squeezing can push bacteria and pus deeper into the skin, which might cause more swelling and redness. Squeezing also can lead to scabs and might leave you with permanent pits or scars.
For treatment of mild back acne, over-the-counter acne creams and gels containing ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, and sulfur can help get rid of blemishes and prevent new ones from popping up. Of course, applying acne creams to your back will likely require assistance from someone.
Benzoyl peroxide.
This ingredient kills bacteria that cause acne, helps remove excess oil from the skin and removes dead skin cells, which can clog pores. Benzoyl peroxide products that you can buy without a prescription are available in strengths from 2.5% to 10%.
Serious bacterial infections can be effectively treated with antibiotics. These medicines either kill the bacteria or stop them multiplying. This helps your body's immune system fight the bacteria. Your doctor's choice of antibiotic will depend on the bacteria that is causing your infection.
Antibiotics. For moderate to severe acne, you may need oral antibiotics to reduce bacteria. Usually the first choice for treating acne is a tetracycline (minocycline, doxycycline) or a macrolide (erythromycin, azithromycin).
According to our dermatology providers, using toothpaste as an acne spot treatment can cause dryness and irritation and might even worsen breakouts. So, if you're wondering, “how long should I leave toothpaste on my pimple?”—don't!
cysts – the most severe type of spot caused by acne; they're large pus-filled lumps that look similar to boils and carry the greatest risk of causing permanent scarring.
Unfortunately, back acne is not something which can be treated overnight, however, there are multiple at-home and in-clinic solutions to treat and manage it. At-home remedies include the use of anti-bacterial washes, or washes containing acids, these can be bought over the counter.
Your body can gradually break down pus and reabsorb its components. That's why small accumulations of pus (like in a pimple) often don't need treatment.
Beyond green and spearmint, herbal teas such as chamomile and rooibos provide hydration with additional anti-inflammatory and soothing effects, gently preparing the ground for a clearer complexion.
Ice doesn't necessarily help clear up acne or pimples — particularly if you're suffering from cystic and nodular acne — but it can help inflammation. This works because acne is an inflammatory condition meaning that it causes flare-ups that contribute to swelling and redness.